Ask.com headlines economic council event

Garza takes over presidency from Trask

GRANT COUNTY - A data center locating in Moses Lake and a state economic developer address Grant County audiences this week.

George Fennewald, senior director of data center strategy for Ask.com, and George Sharp, marketing manager for the state's Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development are the guest speakers at the Grant County Economic Development Council annual banquet.

The banquet is taking place at Big Bend Community College's ATEC Building Wednesday. The event begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

Council Manager of Communications and Research Jon Smith said Fennewald would talk about Ask.com's process in locating in Moses Lake and Grant County in 2007.

"We're hoping he'll go into some detail on issues of competitiveness as far as siting and facility, key factors in their decision," Smith explained. "What made Moses Lake and Grant County stand out as the location for them?"

Sharp has been working on economic development in Washington for a number of years.

"He just has a lot of experience and he's a real dynamic speaker that can speak very knowledgeably about economic development in all of its aspects," Smith said. "He's going to be talking about what the leaders in the community can do."

The banquet is a chance for council members to get together and find out what the council's done for the past year and goals for the year ahead, Smith explained.

At the banquet, council President Bob Trask Jr. passes the title onto Lynn Garza, following elections held earlier in the day at the council's annual meeting.

Trask said the council, under the direction of Executive Director Terry Brewer, had an excellent year and is doing exceptionally well.

"The biggest positive was the expansion in industry," he said, pointing to numerous projects around the area. "Of course, the low point is we had to report there was an embezzlement."

The investigation of money missing from the council will have no impact on the banquet, Smith said.

"Obviously the financial situation was very unfortunate for us," Garza said. "We had some cash-handling procedures in place. However, we realized they were not stringent enough. Needless to say, new policies are in place with several checkpoints now. Our members have entrusted us with their contributions, and we take that trust seriously."

Garza said the overwhelming support from council members is appreciated.

"The outlook for the future of Grant County is still very bright, period," Trask said.

Trask said he saw good communication skills and the desire to work together for continued Grant County prosperity as the council's biggest need.

"I hope they will strive to again bring qualified growth to Grant County," he said.

"Transportation is going to be key this year to the EDC, with regard to rail service and air service," Garza said. "We've also appointed a legislative committee this year to stay on top of the issues affecting us countywide … and work force development labor issues."

The council's strategic plan includes focusing on industrial water rights, wastewater issues, business and industry labor issues and further involvement in a competitive permitting process, she said.

A resident of Grant County for a total of 12 years, Garza is also a certified residential appraiser with Accredited Appraisal Services, LLC., and the mother of two children, aged 15 and 11.

Garza hopes to get into all of the communities in Grant County throughout the year of her presidency to see what challenges they face and celebrate their successes.

Ideally, Garza would like to see a strong, skilled work force in place for industry and new commercial air service in place when she turns over the presidency next year, with the rail project well on its way.

"I am proud our upcoming board has members from Mattawa, Royal City, Quincy, Soap Lake, Ephrata, Coulee City and Warden," she said. "In fact, our seven-member executive board consists of people from Moses Lake, Quincy, Ephrata and Royal City."

The deadline to purchase tickets to the banquet was Thursday. Tickets are no longer available for purchase.